All-rounders Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Marsh and James Faulkner have showcased their batting prowess to save Australia from embarrassment in Sunday’s tri-series cricket final against England at the WACA Ground.

Australia were in deep trouble at 4-60 in the 18th over, after Steve Smith was stumped in bizarre fashion for 40.

But Maxwell (95 off 98 balls) and Marsh (60 off 68 balls) combined for a 141-run stand to lift the home side to a formidable 8-278 on a WACA deck that produced some demons early on.

Faulkner unleashed some brutal hits at the death to finish unbeaten on 50 off just 24 balls.

Maxwell produced his usual array of unorthodox strokes as he approached triple figures.

But his blistering knock came undone when he went for one slog too many and skied an easy catch.

Marsh was also on track for a big score, but he was run out in 44th over after he and Brad Haddin attempted a sneaky second run.

Australia’s innings got off to a bad start when Aaron Finch fell for a third-ball duck after edging James Anderson behind.

And when David Warner and George Bailey were both caught at close range after deliveries kicked up off the deck, Australia were struggling at 3-46.

Smith looked set to continue his brilliant summer after producing a series of crisp strokes.

But he was left kicking himself after being stumped despite a fumble from wicketkeeper Jos Butler.

Smith thought he was gone for sure after he charged down the pitch and failed to hit Moeen Ali’s delivery.

But by the time he made an attempt to get back into his crease after realising Buttler had fumbled, the wicketkeeper had already scooped up the ball back up off the ground and whipped off the bails.

Paceman Chris Woakes copped some major punishment, especially at the death.

In the penultimate over of the innings, Woakes conceded 24 runs as Faulkner unleashed with three sixes and a four.

Faulkner cracked a huge six over mid-wicket on the final ball of the innings to bring up his half-century.

Bailey, who made a scratchy two off 17 balls, has now scored just 74 runs in his past seven innings.